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There’s been a lot of buzz since Apple streamed its Spring Loaded event to the world five weeks ago and introduced some new and exciting products in its line-up. There’s the all-new 24-inch iMac (with seven eye-catching colours, an ultra-thin body and the powerful M1 chip!), an updated M1 chip-powered iPad Pro (with a fully spec’d out model that’s set to cost you an eye-watering RM10,399), Apple TV 4K, the iPhone 12 in a stunning purple, and the tiny but mighty release that takes the cake: the AirTag. Ahead, find out everything about it and why you should consider getting one.
The AirWhat?
So, what exactly is an AirTag? In a nutshell, the AirTag is Apple’s answer to people who are constantly losing (or forgetting where they put) things like their keys, bags, bikes and other essentials. It’s a coin-sized, lightweight (we’re talking 11g!) and water-resistant piece of hardware that you can clip onto your prized possessions and locate using Apple's Find My app. Just attach it to whatever item you’ve got a knack for losing and use your iPhone to track it down accurately.
How accurate are we talking?
It’s actually really accurate. If you’ve misplaced your item at home and it’s within the Bluetooth range, you can use the Find My app to activate the AirTag and it’ll start to chime, making it easier for you to locate it instantly! Not impressed? You can also use a feature called Precision Finding on the app and it’ll triangulate the exact location of your item and direct you right to it. This is possible using Apple’s own UWB (ultra-wideband) chip, the U1, which broadcasts data across a wider bandwidth, hence the name. That, combined with the iPhone’s array of other high-tech components like the accelerometer, gyroscope and ARKit provides haptic, visual and audible feedback that points you directly to the AirTag. However, this feature only works with devices that also have a U1 chip (think iPhone 11 and newer!) and isn’t available on older devices.
What if I like, lost LOST something?
If you lose something beyond your iPhone’s detection range, you can use Apple’s well-established and reliable Find My network which uses the hundreds of millions of existing Apple devices to ping your item’s last known address that’ll help you track it down. You can also add your contact details onto the AirTag so that if someone stumbles upon your lost item, they can contact you to retrieve the said item (fingers crossed and yes, it works on both the iPhone and Android phones).
Hold on, what about my privacy?
According to Apple, the AirTag is designed with security and data privacy in mind. No location data or history will be stored on the AirTag other than where it’s currently located. The communication between the AirTag and the Find My network is encrypted end-to-end so that only the owner of the device can access the device’s location data. Apart from that, the AirTag’s design also includes a set of proactive features that deters unwanted tracking. The Bluetooth signal identifiers on an AirTag rotates and refreshes frequently to prevent unwanted location tracking. It also notifies nearby users if an unknown AirTag is nearby or traveling with them without their knowledge. This security feature also works for users who don’t have an iOS device by pinging an audio cue when moved to draw attention to it.
Does it come in black?
Unfortunately, the AirTag only comes in white. However, you can dress it up in accessories of different colours and sizes to your liking, with collections from either Apple or third-party vendors – think key rings, loops and luggage tags! This includes stickers and skins from renowned Canadian accessories company, Dbrand, or plush leather from French luxury fashion house, Hermès. Considering the reach and popularity of Apple products, I’m sure that the influx of attractive AirTag accessories is just around the corner!
Fun fact: You can use up to 16 AirTags at any given time with a single Apple ID (so don’t even think about going beyond that number!). The battery life lasts over a year and you’ll find out when it’s running low. Oh, did I mention that you can personalise the back of your AirTag with your initials, lucky numbers or favourite emojis for free?
The AirTag drops in store today and retails for RM129. Get yours (with the option of free engraving) here.
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